Debunking the Myth: Heavy Drinkers Can’t ‘Handle Their Liquor’ After All, Reveals Groundbreaking Study

A new study contradicts the popular perception that heavy drinkers can effectively “handle their liquor”. The research, conducted by the Clinical Addictions Research Laboratory at the University of Chicago, found that individuals with alcohol use disorder experienced significant cognitive and motor impairments up to three hours after consuming an alcoholic beverage designed to replicate their regular drinking habits. The belief that a person can develop a tolerance to alcohol at higher consumption levels is widely propagated on social media and in movies, said senior study author Andrea King. While the study did find some support for increased tolerance, it heavily depended on the amount and speed of alcohol consumption and the elapsed time since drinking. This finding is important as only 10% of people with alcohol use disorder receive treatment, and binge drinking rates are increasing. The study also highlighted the concerning trend of high-intensity drinking, which involves consuming alcohol at twice the levels of binge drinking.

Main Takeaways:

1. The idea that heavy drinkers can “hold their liquor” is largely incorrect. Those with alcohol use disorder show significant cognitive and motor impairments up to three hours after drinking.
2. Increased tolerance to alcohol does occur, but it depends on several factors, such as the amount consumed, the speed of consumption, and the time elapsed since drinking.
3. Despite these impairments, only about 10% of people with alcohol use disorder seek treatment, and instances of binge drinking are on the rise.
4. The study emphasizes the dangerous trend of high-intensity drinking, defined as consuming alcohol at twice the levels of binge drinking.
5. The results show that experience with heavy drinking does not equate to a lack of impairment. Even heavy drinkers still suffer from significant performance deficits.

Read the full article @ CNN Health